**TO FOREIGN TRADE COMMISSARIAT**, when and to whom you reported this, what measures you took to ensure an order for turbines was given immediately, who is responsible for the downtime of the turbine shop.

September 13, 1921

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars Lenin

First published in 1933. Printed from the typewritten text signed by V. I. Lenin

**TO E. M. SKLYANSKII**

September 13, 1921

Comrade Sklyanskii!

I request that you present me with information about the work of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic concerning my letter of May 30 and the response of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic regarding the order of material within a week's deadline.

V. I. LENIN
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

First published in 1942. Printed from the manuscript

**TO N. P. GORBUNOV OR V. A. SMOLYANINOV**

To N. P. Gorbunov (or Smolyaninov)

This is a memorandum from Radek on the atlas matter. I have already written (to Smolyaninov), I think, about the necessity of coordinating with Kaisarov. This must be finished completely.

Lenin

September 13, 1921

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO I. A. SEMASHKO**

September 13, 1921

Comrade Semashko!

I am increasingly receiving reports of the most scandalous condition of our health resorts in the Crimea and the Caucasus: bribery, privileges for the bourgeoisie alongside outrageous treatment of workers, and chief of all, complete disorder in treatment and, most important of all, complete lack of food supply.

I request that you present me with the exact information you have on hand immediately.

Then—regarding the methods of verification in greater detail: how many resorts (out of how many?) submit correct reports (quantity of food per—number of patients? per personnel, etc.)—number of baths (mud baths) and so on?

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF PEOPLE'S COMMISSARS CHANCELLERY**

September 13, 1921

Copy to N. P. Gorbunov

Yesterday I discovered that an urgent document I gave to Fotiyeva for L. B. Kamenev went by the "usual," that is, idiotic, route and was delayed for many hours, and without my intervention would have been delayed for days a second time.

Such work by the chancellery is inadmissible, and if even once more such typical red tape and spoiling of work is discovered, I will resort to strict disciplinary measures and replacement of personnel. I prescribe:

1) for each document or package that I give for dispatch, verification by the duty secretary personally (who must have a substitute for when she is away and coordinate with the telephonists on duty around the clock about replacement);

2) whether all notations have been made (in person; urgent; with receipt on the envelope, etc.);

3) whether it has been handed over immediately to the courier;

4) obligatory verification by telephone with the addressee;

5) show me the returned envelope with receipt;

6) the same rules to be carried out in practice by the telephonists in the booth in case of an errand during hours when there is no secretary.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**V. I. LENIN**

**TO N. P. GORBUNOV**

Comrade Gorbunov!

I request that you subject those responsible to disciplinary action: if it is the first time, then—a reprimand; if it is the second time or there are aggravating circumstances, then—with a warning that they will be dismissed if they do not show greater conscientiousness.

Establish verification: once out of 100 cases or 1 day out of 15, etc.

Lenin

Written September 13, 1921

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO N. OSINSKI**

To the People's Commissariat of Agriculture, Comrade Osinski

I request that you urgently report on how the matter of distribution of seeds in the starving provinces is proceeding, with an indication of:

1) The principles of distribution of seeds among the population (whether given to all, or only to those who have land prepared for sowing, whether verification of plowed area has been set up and how, etc.).

2) The actual participation of organs of the People's Commissariat of Agriculture in receiving seed shipments, their storage, movement from railway stations to locations, sorting of seeds and, if information is available, the pace of work in moving seeds from central receiving points to locations.

3) Whether an accounting system has been organized and how (are lists drawn up, to whom exactly—personally or to what collective—are seeds given, in what quantities).

4) Whether control has been organized and how to ensure that seeds actually go to sowing and not to food needs.

The question of correct distribution of seeds has special importance.

Meanwhile, judging from the article by K. Myaskov "Spring and Autumn Sowing Campaigns" published in *Izvestia of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee* No. 202, and from some other information, not everything here is satisfactory.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars

Written September 14, 1921

First published in 1933. Printed from the typewritten copy

**TO L. B. KRASIN**

Comrade Krasin

It is necessary that you "undertake to consider" on the merits Tomsky's proposal (regarding an appropriation to him of a known gold fund for trade operations?) and on what conditions and on what relations to the People's Commissariat of Foreign Trade.

September 14

Lenin

Written September 14, 1921

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO I. I. RADCHENKO**

Deputy Commissar of Foreign Trade Comrade Radchenko

I request that you urgently, together with the bearer hereof, send the following information:

1) What quantity of santonin is in the Foreign Trade Commissariat?

2) Where, in what, whose warehouses is it stored?

3) How much has been sold, at what price and where?

4) By what procedure and through whom is it being sold?

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars

V. I. LENIN

September 15, 1921

First published in 1933. Printed from the typewritten copy

**TO M. M. LITVINOV**

Comrade Litvinov!

Check whether this can be arranged. I would very much like to help him study there. I knew nothing about his wife.

September 15

With communist greetings
Lenin

Written September 15, 1921

First published in 1942. Printed from the manuscript

**TO A. S. KISELEV**

Comrade Kiselev, Chairman of the Smaller Council
Copies to Comrades Bogdanov, Unshlikht, Avanesov and Kursky

I draw your attention to the article by Michels in No. 203 of *Izvestia* of September 13.

The author writes that since 1918 there have been lying 2½ million poods of most valuable metal goods on warehouses, almost in a swamp, not accounted for, not guarded, being looted and lost. I request that you urgently verify the accuracy of the article.

In case it is accurate, take immediately all necessary measures for the accounting, storage, etc. of the property and bring those responsible to the strictest accountability.

Present me a detailed written report with an indication of the names and positions of those responsible for this outrage and make a report to the Council of Labor and Defense.

I request that you conduct all this in the most urgent order.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars

V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

Written September 15, 1921

First published in 1928. Printed from the typewritten text signed by V. I. Lenin

**TO N. P. GORBUNOV**

Read, mark, and in 2-3 weeks talk with the appropriate specialist.

September 16

Lenin

Written September 16, 1921

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO V. M. MOLOTOV**

Comrade Molotov!

Maxim Peshkov—a communist. In October 1917 the Whites twice put him against the wall. We must help him. What is your opinion?

Lenin

September 16

Written September 16, 1921

First published in 1942. Printed from the manuscript

**V. I. LENIN**

**TO G. V. CHICHERIN**

Comrade Chicherin!

In my opinion, we must break them of this manner. Can we not break them of it this way: respond formally and in writing with reference to the "note." Then they will understand that we will (soon) publicly ridicule them and whip them for unsigned notes.

Your Lenin

Written in the second half of September 1921

First published in 1959. Printed from the manuscript

**TO A. I. RYKOV**

September 17

Comrade Rykov!

In my opinion, it is necessary to

1) convene tomorrow the old Control Commission [of the Communist Party]

Stalin
Trotsky (arriving today)
You

2) confirm the old agreement;

3) repeal all its changes and "corrections";

4) give a thorough beating to Zaks again from the Control Commission.

Otherwise there will be an outrageous scandal with Gorky's departure, and we will be in the wrong, since once already the Commission of Control Commissioners has decided the question.

It cannot be re-decided.

Lenin

Written September 17, 1921. First published.

**TO N. P. GORBUNOV**

September 17, 1921

Comrade Gorbunov!

It turns out that Kursky and Cherlunchakevich left without formally handing over their business—namely: the signing of the protocols of the Smaller Council of People's Commissars. This is the height of lawlessness. Immediately restore order: a) draw up a protocol, b) by telegraph demand a response from Kursky and Cherlunchakevich, c) institute and begin proceedings against Kursky and Cherlunchakevich for violation of their duty.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript, verified against the typewritten copy

**TO V. A. SMOLYANINOV**

Comrade Smolyaninov!

I entrust you, and if you are leaving, N. P. Gorbunov, with the task of compiling from the documents of the Council of People's Commissars and the Council of Labor and Defense a history of measures, orders, and resolutions concerning excavators in the shortest possible time.

Chairman of the Council of Labor and Defense Lenin

Written in September, no later than September 17, 1921

First published in 1959. Printed from the manuscript

**V. I. LENIN**

**TO N. P. GORBUNOV**

Comrade Gorbunov!

We must move this project forward.

And write to Rykunov (copy to Ivan Ivanovich Radchenko) from me that I have read it and find:

The most important task for Rykunov now is the establishment of accounting (not "excessive," not "volumes," but proper) and the study of experience.

It is an enormous task. We must weigh the practical experience:

a) with the Central Union of Cooperatives,

b) with provincial unions,

c) with commission agents, merchants.

Lenin

September 19

Written September 19, 1921

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO THE KIRSANOV DISTRICT ECONOMIC CONFERENCE**

Copy to the Tambov Provincial Executive Committee

Dear Comrades!

I add my gratitude for sending the report earlier than others and request that you be exemplary in reporting henceforth as well.

Lenin

September 19

Written September 19, 1921

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO THE KRASNOYARSK DISTRICT ECONOMIC CONFERENCE**

Copy to the Astrakhan Provincial Executive Committee

Dear Comrades! Thank you for sending the report earlier than others. I very much ask that you continue to write carefully.

Lenin

September 19

Written September 19, 1921

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO N. P. BRYUKHANOV**

If Bryukhanov is not there, then to Frumkin
(Copy to N. P. Gorbunov)

September 19, 1921

Comrade Bryukhanov!

Today I signed a telegram regarding 1.2 million poods of hay for Moscow.

It seems to me that it is incorrect to give all such telegrams to me for signature. We must—perhaps gradually, but still we must—transition and transition to teaching people (including provincial executive committees) to obey even without my signature—to obey normally, and not only extraordinarily.

Send 2-3 telegrams in the form of combat orders. Follow up. If not executed—punish severely and verify the punishment.

I request that you report to me an exact plan (and calendar program) for the transition of local institutions to normal discipline.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**V. I. LENIN**

**TO N. P. GORBUNOV**

*Urgent*

September 19, 1921

Comrade Gorbunov!

The list is obviously excessive. For example, printing houses in the city—22 with 7,598 people.

In no case should more than seven be left (those already on collective supply).

An obvious exaggeration!

I request that you immediately confer with Smilga (deputy to Bogdanov) and Avanesov about the appointment today of a commission (no more than three members: one from Moscow, one from the Supreme Council of the National Economy, one from the Workers' and Peasants' Inspectorate) with the task to reduce this list by Wednesday, leaving no more than 7 printing houses (those already on collective supply),

and further cut the entire list.

In no case can I allow these obvious exaggerations.

Chairman of the Council of Labor and Defense Lenin

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO N. P. GORBUNOV**

September 19, 1921

Comrade Gorbunov!

1) Order him a report with practical proposals (shorter, shorter and more precise).

2) Collect all his books for me.

3) Request written testimonials about him from Rosengolts, Kirsanov, V. M. Sverdlov, Antselovitch and others.

4) Order the author a curriculum vitae and record of service 1917-1921.

5) Order immediately an extract of all business content from this letter; I will send it for review.

Lenin

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO V. V. KUYBUSHEV**

September 19, 1921

Comrade Kuybushev!

I just had a visit from
Rutgers,
Calvert
and Heywood,

representatives of a group of an American workers' colony desiring to take the Nadezhda Plant and a number of enterprises in the Kuzbass.

They ask that their representative (with a translator) be personally at the Council of Labor and Defense on Friday. I think this should be permitted.

Then I draw your attention and request that you inform all members of the commission and sub-commissions of the following:

(1) The Nadezhda Plant, in their view, is both economically and technically connected with a group of enterprises in Kuzbass, because it will provide tractors for their agricultural holdings; tractors and all other agricultural implements for peasants; repair of machines for their group's enterprises in Kuzbass, equipment of water transport connecting with Siberia, etc.

(2) In Kuzbass they are taking 12,000 desyatinas of land and a number of enterprises, wishing to create a large and integrated economic whole.

(3) They are asking for only 300,000 dollars in money. Any other opinion is an error.

(4) They want, moreover, grain and clothing to move the necessary construction work *right away*. They say it is necessary to begin this same winter so that by spring 1922 they will have completed it.

(5) They emphasize that they will create a firm administration for their workers' group; and they will select the entire group (3,000-6,000 workers) from the best workers, mostly young and unmarried, who have practical experience in the appropriate production and have lived in climatic conditions similar to Russian ones (Canada or the northern United States).

(6) They want direct subordination to the Council of Labor and Defense. Something in the nature of an autonomous state trust of a workers' association.

By the way, they say that here in the "emigrant house" there live 200 American lumberjacks. Most of them without work. Longing for work. Send, they say, 30 of them immediately to the Nadezhda Plant and 15 to Kuzbass, giving them full equipment and food, and they will immediately begin construction of wooden barracks. (And then all 200 will go.) They very much ask to hurry with the departure.

They say that Gerbek (? I did not quite catch the English pronunciation) from the Industrial Bureau of the Urals gave them oral agreement to their plan, and the Siberians (Siberian Industrial Bureau) in writing.

Russian-speaking workers will make up 10-15%. Could be more.

I request that you take all this into account.

Chairman of the Council of Labor and Defense V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO I. I. MIROSHNIKOV**

Comrade Miroshnikov

Copy to Comrade Gorbunov

I have been told that the lift will not be operating on September 20, 21, and 22.

This is the height of outrage. There are people with weak hearts, for whom climbing is harmful and dangerous. I have a thousand times instructed that someone responsible be appointed to look after the lift.

I declare to you a strict reprimand and charge you with establishing those responsible for failing to warn in time; report the list of responsible persons once more, the measures of disciplinary action against them.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

Written September 19, 1921

First published in 1933. Printed from the typewritten copy

**TO I. I. GORBUNOV**

September 20, 1921

Comrade Gorbunov!

I request that you arrange for the collection of the following literature:

1) Everything in Russian on electrification beyond the book "Plan of Electrification."

Reports by Krzhizhanovsky and Ramzin in Petrograd.—Brochure by Kushner.—Other brochures on electrification—publication of the Vladimir Provincial Executive Committee on electrification and other local publications.

2) In German, new literature (1915-1921) on the state of electrification in various countries and its tasks, etc. (through Krzhizhanovsky, etc.).

Get me all of this within 1-2 weeks for a 2-month period for Ivan Ivanovich Skvortsov (Stepanov).

With communist greetings
Lenin

First published in 1933. Printed from the manuscript

**TO V. V. ADORATSKY**

Comrade Adoratsky!

Could you not help me find the following 2 things:

1) that article (or passage from a brochure? or letter?) by Engels where he says, basing himself on the experience of 1648 and 1789, that there appears to be a law requiring revolution to advance further than it can master, in order to consolidate less significant transformations?

I remember it seemed to be published in our foreign Bolshevik newspaper (*Proletarian*?) in the period 1908-1912, but my recollection is vague;

2) Engels' letter to Weidemeyer of April 12, 1853. I will be very grateful for your suggestions.

Your Lenin